General Counsel

The Role:

Location: New York, NY

Reports to: Vice President of Finance & Administration

The New Museum seeks an experienced and strategic General Counsel to serve as the primary legal advisor to the Museum's senior leadership team and Board of Trustees.

The General Counsel will provide comprehensive legal guidance across all Museum operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations while supporting the Museum's mission to support and present new art and new ideas. The role also includes advising on employment, labor relations, institutional partnerships and initiatives, and contributing to risk management policies and procedures.

As part of the Department Head cohort, the General Counsel will work closely with senior team members, Director, and officers of the Board of Trustees.

Key Responsibilities:

Labor Relations and Employment

• Provide counsel on employment matters, including policy development, employee relations, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, Title VII, ADA, and NY labor laws.
• Manage union relationships and collective bargaining agreements with UAW 2110; including leading grievance negotiations and labor management committee meetings. Spearhead labor negotiations, in particular Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, working with external counsel.
• Handle dispute resolution, arbitrations, and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proceedings as needed.
• Provide legal guidance on workplace policies, disciplinary actions, and employee relations keeping employee manuals and Board bylaws up to date.
• Provide legal guidance and take the lead on any immigration matters including visa approvals and advice.
• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources and internal culture committees.

Contracts, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Review, interpret, and negotiate a wide range of contracts and documents for all areas of the Museum’s program and operation including, but not limited to, construction contracts, donor/sponsorship agreements, artist agreements, loan and exhibition agreements, vendor contracts, estate matters, and affiliations and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance requirements and best practices.
• Oversee legal aspects of foundation and government grant compliance and reporting obligations.
• Provide legal oversight for museum financial compliance, including:
• Supporting compliance with financial reporting requirements
• Advising on tax compliance matters specific to cultural institutions
• Advising on gift receipts including from international donors as necessary
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments relevant to New Museum’s program and operations.
• Provide administrative guidance, support and assistance to staff and departments on any legal matters including copyright, leases and license agreements, insurance and risk management matters.
• Develop, monitor and maintain a risk management matrix and associated policies for the Museum.
• Take the lead on and drive to successful resolution any insurance claims that require legal support.

Secretary/Governance

• Serve as a primary liaison in the preparation of Board meetings and materials.
• Oversee implementation of all governance business, including official meeting notices, minutes, resolutions, unanimous written consents, and records.
• In consultation with outside counsel, monitor compliance with complex and interrelated governing documents.
• Provide guidance and direct support to the Board President and Committee chairs on governance matters.
• Collaborate with Director and Development Department on managing the nomination, onboarding, of new Board members.
• Review and advise on nonprofit and museum‐specific governance standards, practices, systems, and methods, including but not limited to Board protocols, procedures, proceedings, documentation, information, corporate document filing, and file maintenance.
• Research general corporate matters and law related to Museum's board and governance matters.

The Leader:

The ideal candidate will have experience leading a best-practice legal function in museums/nonprofits with a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by cultural institutions locally and globally. They will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience, with at least 3 years in a senior legal role in a cultural institution and/or nonprofit.
• Experience specifically within New York City's cultural sector, is a benefit.
• Strong knowledge of legal issues specific to contemporary nonprofit institutions, including intellectual property law, contract law, visas, donor restrictions, unionized staff, and nonprofit governance.
• Experience working with unions and labor relations is required, including collective bargaining experience.
• Contracts, compliance and risk management experience typical of a place-based organization with a physical building (including, but not limited to, construction and facilities contracts) will be beneficial.
• Experience managing outside counsel relationships.
• Experience with nonprofit financial governance, endowment management, and restricted funds.
• Outstanding communication, oral, drafting, and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize and explain complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Strategic, empathetic, and solution-oriented; Able to work collaboratively and build relationships and trust across Departments and members of the Board of Trustees.
• Deep commitment to the Museum's mission and values.

Education & Bar Admission:

• A JD degree from an accredited law school
• Admission to the New York State Bar

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $190,000 - $210,000
• A full comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Reimbursement Program through the Difference Card, Commuter Benefits Program through the Difference Card, Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, and other voluntary benefits.
• We offer full-time employees 15 days of paid time off, 8 sick days off and 13 holidays off as applicable through the fiscal year.